Because we have very hard well water, I like to use bottled water for my machine but if I'm out, I feel this filter helps extend the life of our coffee maker. This is not a complicated to prepare, drop in in water, let it soak, rinse it under the tap, install it in the holder, press holder in the tank. This is not hard, people -- even I could do it. You can buy these same filters on other sites cheaper by the way.